Zither.



PATENTED JUNE 30, 1903.

G. HUBER.

ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED Jun. 2a. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

jnvenzozw m: NQRRIS PETERS co, PHOTO-Luna. WASHINGTON n c Patented June 30, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE HUBER, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

ZITHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 732,078,'dated June 30, 1903.

Application filed March 28, 1903.

To (l/ZZ whom Tit may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE HUBER, a citizen of the United, States, residing at Jersey City, Hudson county, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Zithers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to azither or similar stringed musical instrument havingham mers which are pivoted below the strings and are actuated by keys arranged bodily above the strings. Thus strength is combined with compactness and the length of the instrument is considerably reduced.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of a zither embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of part of the same with some of the keys folded backward. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the action, showing the key raised; Fig. 4, a similar view with the key depressed; and Fig. 5, a vertical section through the hammer on line 5 5, Fig. 3.

The letter a represents the resonatingchamber of a zither, mandolin, or similar stringed musical instrument, having a sounding-board b and strings c, the sounding-board projecting beneath the rear portions of the strings only.

In front of the sounding-board there extends transversely across the body of the zither and within the resonating-chamber a a shaft d, which constitutes the fulcrum for the hammer-shanks e. The shaft d is arranged beneath the strings c and is set a considerable distance back from the front of the instrument, so that the heads 6 of the hammers engage the lower sides of the strings at the forward end of the resonatingchamber. Washersf, fitted upon the shaft d between the hammer-shanks, hold the hammers in their proper position. Atits rear end each hammer-shank is provided with an upwardly-extending arm 6 having a slot 6 Fig. 5, which embraces the string or strings sounded by the hammer. This slot is of such a height as to permit a free movement of the arm 6 without its coming into contact with the strings. The upper end of arm e projects above the the key off the railj, Fig. 3.

Serial No. 149.932.

string and has a forwardly-extending nose 6, the upper curved side of which is cushioned, as at e Back of the-arms 6 there extends transversely across the instrument and above the strings ca second shaft g, supported by suitable brackets g. This second shaft constitutes the fulcrum for the keys h, which are arranged bodily above the strings and between the ends thereof. Each key is perforated at its rear end to accommodate the shaft g and extends with its forward and above the nose e l/Vhen it is desired to inspect or re- (No model.)

'pair the action, the key may be thrown entirely back upon its fulcrum, so that the hammers become fully exposed, dotted lines, Fig. 3. Washers 71, mounted upon shaft 9 intermediate the keys, hold the latter in proper position. In their normal position the keys extend forwardly beyond the noses e to contact with a key-railj, arranged transversely across and above the strings in front of the noses. This rail limits the downstroke or oscillation of the keys upon their fulcrum. A cover conceals the hammers and the forward portions of the strings from view, such cover being slotted, as at 7c, to expose the keys. Upon the depression of a key it will impart an impetus to the hammer and will then become arrested by the key-railj. The hammer will under this impetus first fly against the string and will then fall slightly back until its nose e contacts with the lower face of the depressed key, Fig. 4. Upon the release of the key the hammer will descend by gravity and will at the same time raise Of course the return of the hammer may be assisted by a hammer-spring, if desired.

It-will be seen that in my improved zither the entire action as well as the keys are fitted intermediate the two ends of the strings. In this way the use ofa keyboard at the front of the instrument is entirely avoided and simplicity combined with compactness is insured.

What I claim is-- 1. A zither provided with hammers pivotally supported below the strings, and keys keys pivoted above the strings and adapted to engage said noses, and a key-rail extending across the strings in front of said noses, substantially as specified.

Signed by me at New York city, (Manhattan,) New York, this 27th day of March, 1903.

GEORGE HUBER.

Witnesses: FRANK v. BRIESEN, WILLIAM SCHULZ. 

